Biden has stepped up spending on bird flu as scientists worry about responses to the H5N1 virus. Here’s what you need to know
The Biden administration announced Friday it would increase spending to support its efforts as concerns grow over the bird flu outbreak and the nation’s response.
Currently, 66 confirmed human cases have been reported in 10 states, with the majority occurring in California and Colorado. Among the dozens of cases, one in Louisiana is the first in the country to show serious illness caused by the virus, which can mutate in patients. However, human-to-human transmission of H5N1 has not yet occurred.
Now, more than $300 million will be spent on H5N1 avian influenza surveillance and regional, state and local preparedness plans. About a third of the funding is used for testing, reaching out to high-risk groups and increasing surveillance of individuals who come into contact with infected animals. And, $90 million was awarded to the Hospital Preparedness Program, which is “the only source of federal funding for health care system preparedness.”
“While the risk to humans remains low, we remain prepared for any eventuality that may arise. These investments are critical as we continue our disease surveillance, laboratory testing and surveillance efforts with our USDA partners, Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “Preparedness is key to keeping Americans healthy and the nation safe. We will continue to ensure our response is robust, well-equipped, and ready for whatever is needed.
The move, aimed at protecting human and animal health as well as food safety, comes after health officials said Thursday that existing treatments and vaccines and those in development are sufficient to prevent serious illness from bird flu, but reassured state health authorities The Institutes of Health and its federal partners remain focused on monitoring the virus and assessing changes.
Dairy cows graze in a field last month in Petaluma, California. Hundreds of dairy herds across the country have been infected with H5N1 avian influenza. While health officials insist the risk to human health from the coronavirus remains low, the Biden administration said Friday it would allocate more than $300 million for surveillance and preparedness (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Leaders of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases stressed the need for timely collaboration among researchers, vigilant disease surveillance to identify and evaluate viral changes, to assess the risk of human-to-human transmission, continued development and testing of medical countermeasures, including vaccines, and Advising people on precautions to take to prevent exposure to the virus is critical “to help scientists and public health officials investigating HPAI H5N1 more quickly answer the many remaining questions about how the virus spreads, evolves and affects humans, other mammals and humans.” important.
Still, the spread of the virus among animals on farms and in the wild remains a challenge for authorities, with hundreds of cattle herds infected in 16 states and more than 17 million birds in commercial and backyard flocks affected. The virus caused an egg shortage as infected birds were culled.
Bird flu has also been detected in pigs, migratory birds and West Coast cats that drink raw milk and eat recalled pet food. Infections forced the governors of California and Iowa to issue disaster proclamations. More than 70% of California’s cattle herds are infected.
A Sprouts Farmers Market grocery store in Redondo Beach, Calif., experienced an egg shortage on Thursday, leaving shelves empty. Bird flu has depleted the country’s supplies and sent prices skyrocketing (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Most human cases are mild and occur in people who have direct contact with these animals.
The World Health Organization said the case fatality rate among cases reported in the Western Pacific region from January 2003 to September this year was 54%.
Last July, a researcher performed a rapid antigen test on milk from cows vaccinated against avian influenza at a research facility in Iowa. The government has also begun testing cheese products made from raw milk for the virus (USDA Agricultural Research Service, AP, File)
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also reported several possible human cases in California, Washington state, Arizona and Delaware.
In response, the government has also begun testing raw milk and cheese products made from raw milk. Raw dairy products are not pasteurized, which is a heating process that kills bacteria and viruses (such as bird flu). Unpasteurized cheese and other products made with raw milk are considered “high risk” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
